Central African Republic Tender

The Logistics Cluster organized from February 8 to 10 a training course in electrical safety and security for people and the building. Indeed in the CAR there has been a persistent lack of these skills for several years but also a difficulty concerning the supply of quality electrical equipment. Indeed in terms of equipment quality items are difficult to find in Bangui the market is flooded with counterfeits of the best known brands and some toolsmaterials are even non-existent. Following several fires or outbreaks of fire in the capital and within partner organizations the Cluster offered this training to organizations and agencies in Bangui thanks to funding from the humanitarian fund.In collaboration and with the support of the Humanitarian Logistics Cooperative HULO - formerly Humanitarian Logistics Network RLH which since October 2022 has deployed an electrician shared by 7 organizations for the diagnosis training and monitoring of the implementation works in accordance with the electrical requirements of these organisations the trainer contracted by the Logistics Cluster was able to quickly assess the Central African market and existing installations.The observation is simple most installations are far from respecting all safety standards and the Bangui market is rich in counterfeits poor in quality equipment. Competent electricians exist but there is no continuous training or upgrading.The trainer Pierre Sturm - trainer specializing in electricity electrical safety electrical authorizations for the building sector industry nuclear power plant operators - gives us his feelings on the subject in the Central African RepublicPierre what can you tell us about the shortcomings observed in terms of electrical safety in Bangui what is the level of riskThe shortcomings are extremely important both on the ENERCA network domestic installations residences and various buildings housing stocks and offices of NGOs.The installations are dangerous for people and buildings.No protection against direct electrical contact. Basic safety and implementation rules not respected many absences of differential switches curve of circuit breakers and ratings not respected absence of earth conductors andor not connected to the earth rod. Counterfeit protection material over 7080. -Non-compliant electrician tools which exposes them to risks at each intervention. Very poor quality cables.How do you think these gaps could be filledFirst of all many learners indicate the price as the only decisive criterion. It would seem to me necessary to revise the purchasing policy in order to obtain safe and sustainable installations over time. We wonder about the possibility of creating a buffer stock imported in order to obtain reliable components and fight against the risk of fire on a large scale There would certainly be costs for transport customs clearance storage and other risks but this is undoubtedly an avenue to be studied.An immediate measure would be to have CO2 extinguishers near electrical installations and a sandpit near generators and to train everyone to use them.In your opinion what monitoring should be done at the level of the Logistics Cluster and the organizations themselvesIf the training has made it possible to bring around thirty learners up to standard it seems to me that this is not enough on a national scale and it would be necessary to continue in this direction by sensitizing those in charge as well as donors because a physical andor material accident is much more expensive than a reduction in the initial purchase price.I hope that the logisticians and electricians who have taken this training will become ambassadors of electrical safety both in their own achievements and in the transmission of the rules of the art they must quickly change their working methods by integrating quality and safety. .They must be supported in this process of progress by the organizations and their superiors.34 logisticians from partner NGOs took part in this training some testifyI really learned a lot of things even the basics of energy. The difference between voltage frequency etc. The most important I think is that I now feel able to check a dimensioning check the cables used and how we use a ground rod and the ground wires to protect me.For me who is already an electrician it is additional training. I realize that we think we are getting used to it and that we neglect certain things. We could be electrocuted for nothing sometimes. I will also try to get down to finding all the protective equipment glove face shield mask to intervene safely.Many houses in the Central African Republic simply do not have an earth connection. This causes a lot of electrocution especially children but not only. When there is the slightest leakage of current there is direct electrocution. Really I think all of us here have known someone who has suffered from more or less severe electrocution.It is important that organizations become aware of the importance of bringing electrical installations into compliance and we are convinced that by joining forces HULO Logistics Cluster private partners and organizations we can improve the situation.